Officials with the Oklahoma City Zoo on Wednesday announced the gender of a newborn gorilla.

The baby was born at 8:57 p.m. on Wednesday inside the Zoo’s Great EscApe habitat to first-time mother Mikella, 14, and father Togo, 29. Zoo officials said the new bundle of joy arrived slightly ahead of schedule and just one day ahead of Mikella’s birthday.

Advertisement

“We are thrilled to welcome a new gorilla to our animal family, especially during this festive time of the year,” said Barry Downer, OKC Zoo’s deputy director.

Zoo’s animal care team announced that they have determined the baby gorilla is a girl. A name will be revealed at a later date.

Officials said the zoo’s veterinary staff and gorilla caretakers will closely monitor the pair for the next 72 hours to ensure Mikella continues to exhibit maternal behaviors, such as nursing. This marks the 26th gorilla born at the Oklahoma City Zoo since 1974.